Compact golf course and privatized golf course community, and a method of designing and dynamically playing a compact golf course

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a compact golf course, a privatized golf course community having a compact golf course, methods of designing a compact golf course and/or privatized golf course community, and methods of dynamically playing a compact golf course. The compact golf course includes a plurality of regulation distance hole possibilities that are condensed to occupy a parcel of land that is substantially smaller than the amount of land required to accommodate a conventional golf course. The dynamic method of playing the compact golf course allows a player to play from any tee box to any one of a plurality of greens, thus increasing the number and variety of hole possibilities. The compact golf course is particularly well suited for low-volume usage since the holes can be played in a dynamic and/or random fashion. The compact golf course allows a player to play a round of golf in a random order (i.e., randomly playing a round by dynamically selecting to play any of said plurality of hole possibilities in any order). The compact golf course may be integrated with a residential design to form a privatized golf course community. The privatized golf course community is particularly well suited for parcels of land having low-density zoning. The compact golf course can occupy the open-space required by the zoning thus providing golf-front properties and increased property values.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to the game ofgolf. More particularly, the subject matter relates to a compact playingfield for the game of golf, a privatized golf course community, methodsof designing a compact golf course and/or privatized golf coursecommunity, and methods of dynamically playing a compact golf course.

BACKGROUND

A conventional golf course for the game of golf consists of eighteenholes. The eighteen holes are typically broken down into two sets ofnine holes. A full or regulation round of golf consists of eighteenholes, but players may play more or less holes as desired. Golf courseshaving other numbers and combinations of hole groupings are possible.

Golfers play the golf course in a predetermined order. For example, theplayer (or group of players) start at hole number one and plays thedesired number of holes in numerical order until the player hascompleted eighteen holes. As such, the player plays hole number one byteeing off on tee box number one, playing the golf ball up fairwaynumber one, onto green number one, and eventually into hole number one.The player then proceeds to hole number two where the player tees off ontee box number two, plays the balls up fairway number two, onto greennumber two, and eventually into hole number 2. This ordered progressionfrom hole to hole continues in numerical order until the playercompletes hole number eighteen. In addition, play proceeds from the teeto the corresponding green on each hole.

Further, most conventional golf courses are laid out around a pro shopand/or club house (club house). The club house provides a convenientlocation for players to park their car, use a locker room, meet otherplayers, pay for the round of golf, get a golf cart, etc. The club houseand a common starting area near the club house allows the manager (orgolf pro) of the golf course to better control play on the course. Inthe convention manner, the first hole tee box is located proximate tothe club house and the course then leads away from the club house.Typically, the ninth hole leads back toward the clubhouse with the ninthgreen being location proximate to the club house. This allows player touse the bathroom, grab a drink or something to eat, etc. The tenth hole,like the first hole, typically has its tee box located proximate to theclub house and the hole then leads away from the club house. Typically,the eighteenth hole, like the ninth hole, leads back toward theclubhouse with the eighteen green being location proximate to the clubhouse. This allows players to return the golf cart, store their clubs,use the locker room, return to their cars, visit the nineteenth hole,etc. This layout does not easily permit players to start play at anyhole of their choosing, other than at a hole located proximate to theclub house. In fact most conventional golf course do not permit playersto start at any hole other than the first hole or, in some instances,the tenth hole.

Also, conventional golf courses typically require that players play thegolf course in numerical order in order to allow for the maximum numberof players to play the golf course at any given time. Typically, groupsof players (typically up to four players) tee off at set intervals oftime and follow the group of golfers ahead of them as they proceed innumerical order through the holes on the golf course. Play continuesfrom the first tee to the last green. This style of play helps ensurehigh volume usage of the golf course and helps maximize revenues for thegolf course because the maximum number of players is accommodated.

Because of the high volume of play and the staggered grouping of playerson the course at any given time, each hole typically is a stand-alonehole and is separated from adjacent holes by a buffer zone to ensure thesafety of play. The buffer zone may include, for example, open spaceand/or a natural or man-made hazard, such as trees, bushes, water,safety netting, fences, rocks, walls, etc. As such, each hole isindependent of the other holes and the holes do not share features, suchas tee boxes, fairways, hazards, greens, etc. Also, holes do not crossover one another for safety reasons. This design and manner of play ofconventional golf courses requires a relatively large area of land toaccommodate the golf course.

Additional golf courses are constantly in demand due to the increasingpopularity of the game of golf. Media coverage of various golfing eventsand tournaments has fueled this increased interest in golf and thenumber of people playing golf continues to grow. Due to the increasednumber of people wanting to play golf out pacing the number of new golfcourses, it is becoming more difficult for golfers to get out and play around of golf or to play a round in a reasonable amount of time. As aresult, many people are abandoning public golf courses and joiningprivate golf courses or country clubs. Private golf courses limit thenumber of people that can become members, and hence limit the number ofgolfers. This helps to ensure that members can get out and play a roundof golf when they want without too much delay.

The size and location of new golf courses is also impacted by thelimited availability and relatively high cost of land suitable for golfcourses. For example, a typical golf course occupies approximately150-200 acres of land. Large tracks of land suitable for a golf courseare scarce, especially in densely populated areas. As a result, some newgolf courses are being built outside of populated area and/or golfcourses are being built with less than the normal eighteen holes. Thisis problematic because new golf courses built outside of populated areado not receive as high a level of play as the course might otherwiseexperience if it were built within or near a more densely populatedarea. Further, golf courses built having less than the normal eighteenholes are less desirable to golfers and therefore, also receive a lowerlevel of play.

Further, in order to fit a golf course into an area that is not largeenough to fit a full eighteen holes of regulation distance, some golfcourses are shorter than regulation distance. For example, certain golfcourses include only par-3 holes. Other golf courses include par-3,par-4, and/or par-5 holes generally having a shorter length than acorresponding hole on a regulation golf course. Although these shorterthan regulation yardage golf courses may fit within a smaller area ofland, they do not allow golfers to hit the full array of golf shots andare typically less challenging to players because of the shorterdistance that a player must hit each golf shot.

There are instances where certain people have one or more private golfholes located on their property. In the case of a single golf hole, theplayer quickly becomes bored with and is not challenged by the golfhole. Multi-hole private golf holes typically follow the traditionalpattern of play wherein a player starts on a first tee box and proceedsto play the holes in numerical order. Therefore, the player gets boredplaying the same holes on the private golf holes because there is alimited number of holes and there is no variety in play. Also, theplayer is not challenged with a wide variety of shots. In addition,private golf holes are expensive. The cost for construction, equipment,maintenance, operation, etc. for a private golf hole or holes can bequite high, and thus private golf hole(s) are not available to mostpeople because they can not afford to build, maintain, or operate theprivate golf hole(s).

What is needed are compact golf courses, privatized golf coursecommunities, methods for designing compact golf courses and privatizedgolf course communities, and methods for dynamically playing compactgolf courses that are challenging to a golfer of a variety of skilllevel, and provide the maximum hole possibilities and shotopportunities.

SUMMARY

In view of the above shortcomings and drawbacks, compact golf courses,privatized golf course communities having compact golf courses, methodsfor designing compact golf courses and privatized golf coursecommunities having compact golf courses, and methods for dynamicallyplaying compact golf courses are provided. Preferably, the compact golfcourses provide for a dynamic and random method of play and arechallenging to golfers of a variety of skill levels while providing formaximum hole possibilities and shot opportunities.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a compact golfcourse is provided. The compact golf course includes a golf courseperimeter that defines an outer boundary of the course. A peripheralarea is located within the perimeter and an interior, central region islocated within the peripheral area. A plurality of tee boxes are locatedproximate the golf course perimeter and generally within the golf courseperipheral area. A plurality of greens are located proximate andgenerally inward from the plurality of tee boxes. A common fairway areais located in the interior, central region of the course. The compactgolf course provides a plurality of golf hole possibilities comprisinggolf holes formed from any of the plurality of tee boxes to any of theplurality of greens. The compact golf course allows a player todynamically select to play any of the plurality of golf holepossibilities.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the plurality ofgolf hole possibilities may be dynamically created by the player fromone or more pre-determined and fixed golf course features. The compactgolf course preferably allows a player to randomly play a round of golfby dynamically selecting to play any of the plurality of golf holepossibilities in a random order. The fixed golf course features includeone or more of: tee boxes, greens, fairways, and/or hazards. Theplurality of tee boxes, plurality of greens, and/or a common fairwayarea comprise a template that a player can work within to dynamicallyselect to play any of the golf hole possibilities.

Preferably, the plurality of tee boxes, plurality of greens, and/or thecommon fairway area are strategically located to: maximize the number ofhole possibilities; maximize a variety of hole length; maximize avariety of tee shots; and/or maximize a variety of green approach shots.

In one embodiment, the golf hole possibilities are determined by anumber of tee boxes comprising the plurality of tee boxes multiplied bya number of greens comprising the plurality of greens. In anotherembodiment, the golf hole possibilities can be determined by the dynamicmanner of play made available to the golfer. For example, a player toplay several different ball paths from a selected tee box to a selectedtarget green using, for example, the common centralized fairway area.Each of the potential ball paths may comprises a different golf holepossibility, as between the same tee box/green combination. The compactgolf course allows a golfer to dynamically select to play any of aplurality of ball paths. In accordance with another aspect of thecompact golf course, the plurality of ball paths between any teebox/green combination may allow for golf hole possibilities of, forexample: a par-3 golf hole possibility; a par-4 golf hole possibility;and/or a par-5 golf hole possibility.

Preferably, the compact golf course perimeter comprises an enclosed areaof land covering less than about one hundred acres. In anotherembodiment, the compact golf course comprises an enclosed area of landcovering at least ten acres. In a more preferred embodiment, the compactgolf course comprises an area of land enclosed within a range of abouttwelve to about thirty acres.

Preferably, the compact golf course comprises at least eighteen golfhole possibilities. The at least eighteen golf hole possibilitiespreferably comprise regulation-distance golf holes. Theregulation-distance golf holes preferably comprise a combination ofpar-3 holes, par-4 holes, and par-5 holes. The regulation-distance golfholes possibilities preferably comprise combinations allowing for atotal par range of from about 68 to about 74 and comprise a totalyardage of from about 5,500 yards to about 7,500 yards.

The compact golf course may include less than eighteen tee boxes and/orless than eighteen greens. Further, the compact golf course may includeless than nine tee boxes and less than nine greens.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the compact golfcourse may include one or more fairway branches that extend from thecommon fairway area toward one or more of the greens. Further, thecompact golf course may include a plurality of hazards strategicallylocated around the compact golf course. In one embodiment, the pluralityof hazards may include a plurality of bunkers. The plurality of bunkersmay further include a plurality of fairway bunkers arranged in orproximate the common fairway area and/or the fairway branches and aplurality of green-side bunkers arranged around the greens. Preferably,the fairway bunkers are located in and around the fairways to effect teeshots from one than one of the plurality of tee boxes, and thegreen-side bunkers are located around the greens to effect approachshots from a plurality of approach shot angles to each of the greens.

In an alternate embodiment, the compact golf course comprises at leastnine golf hole possibilities. The at least nine hole possibilitiespreferably comprise regulation-distance golf holes and provide forcombinations of par-3 holes, par-4 holes, and par-5 holes. In a ninehole course randomly selected by a golfer from the at least nine golfhole possibilities, the regulation-distance golf holes possibilitiespreferably comprise combinations allowing for a par range of from about34 to about 37 and a total yardage of from about 2,250 yards to about3,750 yards.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor playing a compact golf course is provided. The design of the compactgolf course allows for a dynamic method of play. This dynamic method ofplay allows a golfer to dynamically select a tee box from a plurality oftee boxes located around a periphery of the compact golf course. Thegolfer may them dynamically select a target green from a plurality ofgreens located around the periphery of the compact golf course. Once thegolfer has selected a tee box to hit from and a target green to hit to,the golfer hits golf shots, comprising hitting a golf ball with one ormore golf clubs from the selected tee box toward the selected targetgreen, until the golf ball is hit into a cup on the target green.

The method further comprises dynamically selecting another tee box fromthe plurality of tee boxes located around a perimeter of the compactgolf course as well as dynamically selecting another target green fromthe plurality of greens located around the perimeter of the compact golfcourse. The golfer then hits golf shots from the currently selected teebox toward the currently selected target green until the golf ball ishit into a cup on the currently selected target green.

Preferably, the method steps of dynamically selecting another tee box,dynamically selecting another target green, and hitting golf shots untilthe golf ball is hit into a cup on the selected another target green isrepeated until a desired number of holes has been played.

In a preferred embodiment, the method includes repeating the steps ofdynamically selecting another tee box, dynamically selecting anothertarget green, and hitting golf shots until the golf ball is hit into acup on the target green until eighteen holes have been played.

Preferably, the method provides for randomly selecting a desired numberof holes from a plurality of hole possibilities, wherein the holepossibilities comprise different tee box and green combinations. Themethod may also provide for randomly selecting a desired number of holesfrom a plurality of hole possibilities, wherein the hole possibilitiescomprise different ball paths from the same tee box and greencombination.

In one embodiment, the method comprises randomly selecting a hole from aplurality of hole possibilities, wherein a selected hole comprises aselected tee box and a selected green. The method allows a golfer todetermining a path to follow from the selected tee box to the selectedgreen. Further, the method may allow a golfer to define boundaries alongthe selected ball path that the golf ball must stay within in order toavoid a penalty.

In another embodiment, the method includes identifying a target areathat a golf ball must be hit to or past from the tee box. The golferthen hits a golf ball along a first ball path toward the target areauntil the golf ball enters or clears the target area. Then the method ofplay continues as the golfer turns to the target green and hits the golfball along a second ball path toward the target green until the golfball is hit into a hole on the target green. The method also providesfor the golfer turning at an angle from the first ball path to thesecond ball path, wherein the angle is between 90 degrees and 180degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, aprivatized golf course community is provided. The privatized golf coursecommunity includes a parcel of land preferably having zoningrestrictions for low density housing and is divided into a plurality oflots based on the zoning restrictions. The privatized golf coursecommunity includes a residential community having a plurality of homes.The homes are located around a periphery of the parcel with at least onehome located on each lot. A compact golf course is integrated with theresidential community, with the compact golf course being located in theopen space required by the zoning restrictions. The compact golf courseprovides a plurality of hole possibilities that are dynamically selectedby a golfer and that may be played in a random order.

According to other aspects of the invention, the privatized golf coursecommunity includes a first, outer zone in contact with a parcel line ofthe parcel, wherein the first, outer zone extends from the parcel lineinward toward an interior or central region of the parcel. The homes anda plurality of tee boxes are located in the first, outer zone. A second,intermediate zone extends inward from an inner boundary of the first,outer zone toward the interior or central region of the parcel. Aplurality of greens are located in the second, intermediate zone. Aninterior or central region located within an inner boundary of thesecond, intermediate zone comprises open space for a common fairway areathat is shared by a plurality of hole possibilities comprising any oneof the tee boxes and any one of the greens. Any combination of tee boxto green is permissible to form a golf hole.

The compact golf course is particularly well suited, but by no meanslimited to, parcels zoned for cluster and/or low-density zoning. Theopen space required by the zoning restriction is preferably used for thecompact golf course. Preferably, the open space is conglomerated in theinterior, or central region of the parcel for use as the compact golfcourse. According to one embodiment of the privatized golf coursecommunity, the zoning restrictions require at least two acre minimumlots.

According to another aspect of the invention, the privatized golf coursecommunity includes a parcel-line buffer zone that can be formed betweena parcel-line around a perimeter of the parcel and the home on the lots.The parcel-line buffer zone acts as a buffer between the homes and anexterior surrounding of the parcel to ensure home safety. According toyet another aspect of the privatized golf course community, a home-sitebuffer zone can be formed around each of the homes. The home-site bufferzone acts as a buffer between the homes and the compact golf course toensure home safety. Preferably, each of the homes in the privatized golfcourse community is a golf course front home having a substantiallyunimpeded view of the compact golf course.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a combinationresidential development and compact golf course is provided. Thecombination residential development and compact golf course is locatedon a parcel of land having an outer perimeter. A plurality of home sitesare located in a residential zone on the parcel. The residential zoneincludes an outer boundary and an inner boundary, wherein the outerboundary of the residential zone borders the perimeter of the parcel. Aplurality of tee boxes are located in a tee box zone on the parcel. Thetee box zone includes an outer boundary and an inner boundary, whereinthe outer boundary of the tee box zone borders the inner boundary of theresidential zone. A plurality of greens are located in a green complexzone on the parcel. The green complex zone comprises an outer boundaryand an inner boundary, wherein the outer boundary of the green complexzone borders the inner boundary of the tee box zone. A common fairwayarea may be located in a fairway zone on the parcel. The fairway zoneincludes an outer boundary, wherein the outer boundary of the fairwayzone borders the inner boundary of the green complex zone. The commonfairway area can receive tee shots from any one of the plurality of teeboxes and each of the plurality of greens can receive approach shotsfrom a plurality of angles from the common fairway area. The compactgolf course allows any one of the greens to be played to from any one ofthe tee boxes.

Preferably, the compact golf course provides a wide variety of shotopportunities, including shot distances, shot angles, shot selection,man made and natural hazards, maximizes shot distance, etc. Where thecompact golf course is integrated with a residential community, theresidential design preferably safely integrates homes with golf holes ofthe compact golf course, provides scenic views for home owners, providesgolf course front homes, allows dynamic selection of hole play (tee boxto green, ball path, etc.), allows a random fashion of play (any tee boxto any green in any order), provides a choice of par-3, par-4, par-5,etc.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be madeapparent from the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed descriptionwhen read in connection with the accompanying drawing. Included in thedrawings are the following Figures that show various exemplaryembodiments and various features of the present invention:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary parcel of land divided into lots based onpredetermined zoning restrictions;

FIG. 2 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 1 further showing exemplary homeplacement designations on each parcel and home buffer zones;

FIG. 3 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 2 further showing exemplary teebox locations;

FIG. 4 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 3 further showing exemplary teebox distance measurements from one of an exemplary middle tee boxes toconfinements of the compact golf course and to the perimeter home sites;

FIG. 5 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 3 further showing exemplary teebox distance measurements from one of an exemplary corner tee boxes toconfinements of the compact golf course and to the perimeter home sites;

FIG. 6 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 3 further showing exemplary teebox distance measurements from one of an exemplary side tee boxes toconfinements of the compact golf course and to the perimeter home sites;

FIG. 7 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 1 further showing exemplary areafor the compact golf course;

FIG. 8 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 3 further showing exemplarygreen and hazards locations;

FIG. 9 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 8 further showing exemplaryfairway implementation;

FIG. 10 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 1 further showing anotherexemplary implementation of tee boxes, greens, hazards, fairway, etc.for a compact golf course;

FIG. 11 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 9 further showing exemplaryrough and tree hazard implementation;

FIG. 12 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 11 further showing holepossibilities that can be played from the various tee boxes T1-T8 togreen G7;

FIG. 13A shows the parcel of land of FIG. 12A further showing exemplaryboundaries and hole lay out from tee box T1 to green G7;

FIG. 13B shows the parcel of land of FIG. 13A further showing exemplaryhole strategy, shot opportunities, and an exemplary ball path from teebox T1 to green G7;

FIG. 14A shows the parcel of land of FIG. 11 further showing exemplaryboundaries and hole lay out from tee box T5 to green G7;

FIG. 14B shows the exemplary boundaries and hole lay out from tee box T5to green G7 of FIG. 14A, further showing exemplary tee to greendifferential based on launch position;

FIG. 14C shows a plurality of exemplary ball paths that may be selectedby a golfer from tee box T5 to green G7 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a compact golf course on anexemplary irregular-shaped parcel of land divided into lots based onpredetermined zoning restrictions;

FIG. 16 shows the irregular-shaped parcel of land of FIG. 15 furthershowing exemplary home and tee box locations;

FIG. 17 shows the irregular-shaped parcel of land of FIG. 16 furthershowing exemplary green locations;

FIG. 18 shows the irregular-shaped parcel of land of FIG. 17 furthershowing exemplary distance measurements from each tee box T1-T8 totarget green G1;

FIG. 19 shows the irregular-shaped parcel of land of FIG. 17 furthershowing exemplary distance measurements from each tee box T1-T8 totarget green G2;

FIG. 20 shows the irregular-shaped parcel of land of FIG. 17 furthershowing exemplary distance measurements from each tee box T1-T8 totarget green G3;

FIG. 21 shows exemplary fairway implementation;

FIG. 22 shows the irregular-shaped parcel of land of FIG. 17 furthershowing exemplary fairway lay outs from each tee box T1 to greens G2-G7;

FIG. 23 shows the irregular-shaped parcel of land of FIG. 17 furthershowing exemplary fairway lay outs from each tee box T5 to greens G1-G7;

FIG. 24 shows the irregular-shaped parcel of land of FIG. 17 furthershowing the exemplary compact golf course lay out showing fairway areasand hazards areas;

FIG. 25 shows another embodiment of an exemplary parcel of land for acompact golf course;

FIG. 26 shows the parcel of land of FIG. 25 further showing the parcelof land divided into lots based on predetermined zoning requirements;

FIG. 27 shows the parcel of land divided into lots of FIG. 26 furthershowing home sites and boundary areas;

FIG. 28 shows the parcel of land having home sites and boundary areas ofFIG. 27 further showing exemplary distance measurements;

FIG. 29 shows the parcel of land having home sites and boundary areas ofFIG. 27 further showing exemplary tee box, fairway, and green locations;

FIG. 30 shows another possible golf course and housing community layout;

FIG. 31 shows yet another possible golf course and housing community layout;

FIG. 32A-32D show an exemplary green complex location implementationstrategy;

FIG. 33 shows an exemplary corner tee box lay out that allows forvariations in hole distance;

FIG. 34A shows a portion of another exemplary compact golf course;

FIG. 34B shows an exemplary fairway area showing a plurality ofdifferent possible tee shots and shot angles;

FIG. 34C shows an exemplary green showing a plurality of differentpossible approach shots and shot angles; and

FIG. 35 shows an exemplary hole lay out and possible shot choice forplaying a compact golf course.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The compact golf course, privatized golf course community, and methodsfor dynamically playing a compact golf course provide a plurality ofgolf hole possibilities and gives a golfer the ability to create his orher own version of a golf hole given pre-determined and fixed golfcourse features, i.e., the tee boxes, greens, fairways, hazards, etc.The features of the compact golf course provide a template that thegolfer can work within to dynamically chose to play any of the possiblehole lay-outs. The compact golf course and dynamic method of playingcreate an interactive golf course palette from which the golfer cancreate his or her own version of a golf hole and round of golf.Preferably, the compact golf course is designed to, and the golf coursefeatures are strategically located to: maximize the number of holepossibilities; maximize the variety of hole length; maximize the varietyof tee shot appearance, strategy, obstacles, etc.; and/or maximize thevariety of green approach shot appearance, strategy, obstacles, etc.

The number of hole possibilities is determined, in part by the number oftee boxes and the number of greens. Preferably, a golfer can choose toplay from any tee box to any green. In addition, the number of holepossibilities is also increased by other golf course features and thedynamic manner of play made available to the golfer. For example, theimplementation of a common centralized fairway area and strategicallyplaced hazards may permit a golfer to play several different ball pathsfrom a selected tee box to a selected target green. This allows thegolfer to create a plurality of hole possibilities (each following adifferent ball path), even when playing from a particular tee box to aparticular green. In addition to the use of golf course features topresent different hole possibilities for a golfer to choose from, thedynamic manner of play permitted by the compact golf course alsoprovides additional hole possibilities. For example, the same teebox/green combination may by played as a par-3, a par-4, or a par-5depending of the ball path that the golfer chooses to play.

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a condensed orcompact golf course. The compact golf course occupies a parcel of landthat is substantially smaller than a conventional golf course whilestill providing a plurality of regulation distance golf holepossibilities. For example, a conventional eighteen-hole golf coursetypically occupies 150-200 acres. In one embodiment, the compact golfcourse includes eighteen-holes or more and covers less than 100 acres.

In addition, a conventional eighteen-hole golf course typically includesat least eighteen tee boxes, at least eighteen fairways, and at leasteighteen greens. Preferably, the compact golf course includes less thaneighteen tee boxes, less than eighteen fairways, and less than eighteengreens. More preferably, the compact golf course includes less than ninetee boxes, less than nine fairways, and less than nine greens, yet stillprovides eighteen-hole possibilities or more. In one embodiment, thecompact golf course provide at least nine hole possibilities, which mayonly require three tee boxes and three greens (or possibly less).

The compact golf course allows a player to play from any tee box to anyone of a plurality of greens, thus increasing the number and variety ofpossible holes to be played. The compact golf course preferably alsoincludes a common fairway area, wherein the common fairway area can beused to play a plurality of tee box to green combinations. The compactgolf course may include a plurality of branch fairways that extend fromthe common fairway area toward a green proximate the perimeter of thecompact golf course. The common fairway area and branch fairways alsoallows for multiple hole possibilities even when hitting from a selectedtee box and target green combination, because the golfer may choose frommultiple ball paths to get from the tee box to the target green.

Preferably, the compact golf course is designed to allow for maximumshot distance and variety in hole playability. The compact golf courseis particularly well suited for low-volume usage since the holes can beplayed in a dynamic and/or random fashion. The compact golf courseallows a player to play a round of golf in a random order (i.e.,randomly playing a round by dynamically selecting to play any of theplurality of hole possibilities in any order).

The compact golf course can include any number of a plurality of teeboxes and greens to allow for the maximum number of holes for a givenarea of open space available for use as the compact golf course. Thetable below illustrates how the number of tee boxes Tn (listedhorizontally across the top) and the number of greens Gn (listedvertically down the left side) helps to determine the number of holepossibilities (Hn). (Tn X Gn=Hn).

It is also preferred that the compact golf course include sufficient teeboxes and greens to ensure at least eighteen-holes of golf. Referring tothe table above, the compact golf course can provide eighteen holes ormore using various combinations of tee boxes and greens, such as the teebox/green combinations indicated above in the shading. Combinationsproviding less than eighteen hole possibilities are also contemplatedfor parcels of land having less open space available in which toaccommodate the compact golf course.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a residentialgolf course community. The residential golf course community includes aunique residential design that can be used to help inflate propertyvalues. This residential golf course community integrates theresidential design with a compact golf course.

This is made possible by selecting parcels of land having relativelylarge areas of open land available for a compact golf course. Forexample, parcels of land designated for cluster and/or low-densityzoning, wherein the required open space can be used for the compact golfcourse. Also, the homes are preferably located around the perimeter ofthe parcel of land and the compact golf course is integrated with theresidential design and home lay out such that the majority of theplaying area of the compact golf course is located in an interior orcentral region of the parcel of land.

The zoning requirements for a parcel of land help determine thesuitability of the parcel of land for a residential golf coursecommunity having a compact golf course in accordance with the presentinvention. Preferably, the target low density zoning includes lot sizesof about two acres or greater minimum lot restrictions. A more preferredrange for the lot size is 3-10 acres minimum restricted. For example, aparcel of land having a low density zoning of three to five acre minimumlot restriction, would allow for six to sixteen homes within a twenty tofifty acre parcel.

In another example, a target thirty acre parcel of land that is zonedfor three acre minimum lots would allow for the necessary land to allowfor ten homes while still having sufficient open space to implement acompact golf course. The ten homes would preferably be arranged aroundthe perimeter of the parcel and the compact golf course would be laidout within the parcel and around the homes in such a manner so as toensure the safety of the homes and an aesthetically pleasing view of thegolf course from the homes. This innovative residential design strategyof arranging the homes around the perimeter of the golf course resultsin the creation of golf course front properties. The value of each homeis thus increased by its location in close proximity to and view of thegolf course (golf course front property), and in addition, the value ofthe property is further increased by the amenity of privatized golf forthe home owners.

Preferably, the compact golf course is part of a privatized golf coursecommunity and is only playable by the home owners within the privatizedgolf course community. The compact golf course is preferably privatelyowned by the home owners and the home owners share the cost for theconstruction, maintenance, and operation of the compact golf course.Preferably, the residential design includes luxury/up-scale homes thatshare the costs associated with the compact golf course. Sharing thecosts of the compact golf course makes it more reasonable to integrate acompact golf course into the residential design.

Preferably, parcels of land targeted for the privatized golf coursecommunity are located in or on the periphery of the core area ofcommerce, where other luxury or high-priced homes are located. Theparcel size, shape, and zoning restrictions will dictate the number ofhomes to be built, the home location on the parcel, and the compact golfcourse lay out. The size of the lots is dictated by the zoningrestrictions and preferably helps ensure that the homes are dispersedand spaced apart from one another on the parcel. Preferably, the homesare located on each lot to provide a buffer zone between the home andthe golf course to ensure home safety, while also providing an enjoyableview of the golf course. The homes are also preferably located proximatethe perimeter of each lots and the parcel to maximize the open space inthe interior or centralized region of the parcel for the compact golfcourse.

The privatized (or residential) golf course community can help increaserealized revenue to a builder of a potential small-scale development.For parcels having low-density zoning requirements, a home builder isrestricted in the number of homes that can be built on the targetedparcel, and the remaining open space is not available for home building.By adding a compact golf course in the otherwise unusable open space,the home builder can maximize use of the land and get a premium for eachlot in the parcel. The cost for implementing a compact golf course wouldbe off-set, and minimal, in comparison to the added value that iscreated by integrating a compact golf course within a privateresidential community. Value is realized by converting open space frontproperties to golf course front properties and providing the home ownerswith the private amenity of a compact golf course.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is directed to amethod of designing a compact golf course and a method of designing aresidential/privatized golf course community. The method of designing acompact golf course involves certain steps that are performed insequence to target a suitable parcel of land, and to select and designthe compact golf course to make maximum use of the terrain and naturalhazards present on a parcel of land while also maximizing holepossibilities, the variety of shot opportunities, playability of thegolf course, etc. In one embodiment, the method of designing the compactgolf course includes the step of: determining the number, size andlocation of the tee boxes; performing distance measurements between thetee boxes and various features of the compact golf course, such as theboundaries of the parcel, the proposed location of greens and otherhazards, etc.; determining the number, size and location of the greens;determining the number, size and location of hazards; determining thesize and lay out of the fairway areas; and the like.

The method of designing a residential/privatized golf course communityalso involves certain steps that are performed to integrate an up-scaleresidential community with a private compact golf course. Preferably, aparcel of land is selected having the required zoning requirements thatprovide an incentive for a builder to integrate an up-scale residentialcommunity with a private golf course. The homes are preferably locatedto maximize and conglomerate the open space for use by the compact golfcourse. Preferably, distance measurements are made in the process ofdesigning and laying-out the features of the compact golf course,including for example: the land boundaries; the distance from each teebox to features of importance around the boundaries, such as the homes,other tee boxes, particular points on the boundaries, etc.; from eachtee box to each green; and the distance from each tee box to features onthe compact golf course, such as the common landing areas, fairways,hazards, etc. Each of these measurements helps to: ensure the maximumuse of the land; ensure the maximum hole possibilities, optimize thelocation of golf course features, optimize hole playability, ensure homesafety, and the like.

Further, another embodiment of the present invention is directed to amethod for dynamically playing a compact golf course. Conventional golfcourses are played in numerical order, typically from the first numberedhole to the last numbered hole. In accordance with this conventionalmanner of play, the player tees off at the tee box of the first hole,plays the ball up the fairway for the first hole, on to the first greenand eventually into the hole on the first green. The player thanproceeds to the second hole where the player tees off at the tee box ofthe second hole, plays the ball up the fairway for the second hole, onto the second green and eventually into the hole on the second green.This conventional manner of play is repeated in consecutive numericalorder until the desired number of holes has been completed (e.g., for anormal round of golf, eighteen-holes).

The present invention includes a method for dynamically playing acompact golf course wherein the player may choose to hit from any teebox to any green. The player selects a tee box and a target green. Theplayer then tees off toward the target green and plays the balls towardthe target green until the ball is hit into the hole on the targetgreen. Also, the player may further select a ball path, from a pluralityof possible ball paths, from the tee box to the target green. The playerthen randomly selects another tee box and another target green. Theplayer continues in this dynamic manner until the player has played thedesired number of holes, preferably eighteen holes.

FIGS. 1-15 show an embodiment of an exemplary privatized golf coursecommunity having a compact golf course. The first step in designingeither a compact golf course and/or a privatized golf course communityis to target a parcel of land. For the compact golf course, the targetparcel does not have to be able to able to have home built thereon, andpreferably includes land that has been designated as open space. For theprivatized golf course community having a compact golf course, thetarget parcel preferably includes land zoned for low-density and/orcluster-density housing.

Preferably, the size of the target parcel is at least about ten acresand is less than about 100 acres. A preferred range for the size of theparcel is from about 30 to about 60 acres.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary parcel of land 1 of approximately forty acres,having dimensions of 556 yards×695 yards (1668 feet×2085 feet=3,477,780square feet). The parcel 1 is bound by parcel lines 2. In theillustrated embodiment, roads run along the parcel lines 2. As shown,the target parcel 1 has a substantially regular shape, although theinvention is not limited to any particular shape parcel of land.

The table below illustrates two possible zoning designations for thetargeted low-density zoned parcel 1. Property Households space Zoning IDType Lot restrictions per lot requirements R1-190 Single Low densitysingle family Single family Front - 60 ft. family neighborhood uses(minimum dwelling unit Side - 30 ft. residential 190,000 sq. ft. lot)per lot Rear - 60 ft. R1-130 Single Low density single family Singlefamily Front - 60 ft. family neighborhood uses (minimum dwelling unitSide - 30 ft. residential 130,000 sq. ft. lot) per lot Rear - 60 ft.

Using the exemplary R1-190 zoning for the parcel yields minimum lotsizes of about 4.36 acres. For the target forty acre parcel 1 identifiedabove, this would allow for eight lots of about 5 acres. Alternatively,using the R1-130 zoning for the parcel yields minimum lot sizes of about2.98 acres. For the target forty acre parcel 1 identified above, theR1-130 zoning would allow for thirteen lots of about 3 acres. Theremaining discussion of FIGS. 1-15 assumes that parcel 1 is subject tothe R1-190 zoning.

Accordingly, the parcel of land is divided into the designated number oflots L1-Ln determined by the size of the parcel 1 and the zoningrestrictions for the target parcel 1. The lots are bound by lot lines 3.As shown in FIG. 1, the parcel 1 is divided into eight substantiallyequal sized lots L1-L8. The lots do not have to be of equal size,providing all of the lots meet the minimum lot size in accordance withthe zoning restrictions on the target parcel 1.

A home H1-Hn is placed on each lot. FIG. 2 shows the placement of homesH1-H8 on each of lots L1-L8. Preferably, the homes are located on eachlot to maximize the area available for the compact golf course 10. Forexample, in a preferred embodiment the homes are located on each lotaround the periphery of the target parcel 1. In other words, the homesare preferably located proximate the perimeter of the parcel lines 2while the compact golf course 10 is preferably located in the interioror central region 5 of the target parcel 1. This helps maximize andconglomerate the open space in the interior or central region of theparcel 1 for the compact golf course.

The homes are also preferably placed to maximize home safety. As shownin FIG. 2, a parcel line buffer zone 6 can be established between thehomes and the parcel line 2 to ensure home safety. The parcel linebuffer zone 6 is akin to a minimum set-back of the homes on each lot anddetermines the proximity of each home to the land around the parcel 1,such as for example, surrounding developments, roadways, forests, water,open space, etc.

Further, each home preferably includes a home-site buffer zone 7 toensure an adequate distance between adjacent homes and adequate distancebetween each home and the compact golf course 10. The home-site bufferzone 7 is an area of land around each home that helps ensure that a homecan be set-off from adjacent homes and/or the compact golf course. Thehome-site buffer zone 7 helps to ensure the safety of each home from,for example, errant golf balls hit from the compact golf course 10, theprying eyes of golfers on the compact golf course 10, and the like. Thehome-site buffer zone 7 can also include a hazard (not shown in FIG. 2),either natural or man-made, that is positioned between adjacent homesand/or the compact golf course 10. For example, the home-site bufferzone 7 can include hazards, such as for example, trees, bushes, shrubs,fences, stones, walls, and the like.

In addition, the homes are preferably placed on each lot to maximizevisual satisfaction of the home owners. This includes providingaesthetically pleasing views of the compact golf course 10 from withinand immediately around the homes. This can be accomplished by thephysical location of the home on the lot, the angle that the home sitson the lot, the elevation of the home on the lot, the placement oftrees, bushes, vegetation, walls, fences, rocks, etc. Unless requiredfor safety purposes, the home buffer zone 7 preferably does notinterfere with the visual spectrum of the compact golf course 10 offeredfrom a home.

The size and shape of the parcel line buffer zone 6 and the home-sitebuffer zone 7 can vary depending on several factors, including the sizeand shape of the parcel, the size and shape of the lots, the size andshape of the home-sites, safety concerns, etc.

The design of the compact golf course 10 requires careful planning thatpreferably integrates the existing topology of the parcel and existingnatural hazards into the compact golf course 10. Preferably, the compactgolf course 10 is design to accommodate a wide range of player skilllevels, including the most skilled to beginners, men and women, old andyoung, etc. Normally, separate grades of skill are considered indesigning and constructing a golf course, including for example, pro,men, women, junior, senior, etc. In embodiments wherein the compact golfcourse is integrated as part of a privatized golf course community, thedesign of the compact golf course should also take into account thedesign, lay-out, and safety of the homes.

Generally, the compact golf course will include a plurality of tee boxareas, fairway areas, rough areas, hazards, and green areas. The goal inthe game of golf is for the player to get the ball from the tee into ahole on the target green in the least amount of strokes possible.Obviously, to do this the player attempts to hit the ball in the fairwayand tries to avoid the rough and other hazards. Typically, a player hasa plurality of golf clubs which are used to hit or strike the balltoward the target green. The golf club for each shoot is selected basedon the shot presented to achieve the desired distance, loft, spin, etc.

Preferably, the compact golf course is designed to include defenses thatpresent challenges to the player in getting from the selected tee box tothe target green. These defenses can include the length of the hole, thepath to the hole, hazards, etc.

Hazards can include natural and pseudo-natural hazards. Natural hazardsinclude, for example, the general terrain and topography of the parcel,undulations, contours, obstacle, obstructions, trees, shrubs, bushes,other vegetation, the texture and height of grasses, and the like.Pseudo-natural hazards can include features added by the designer, suchas making of contours and undulations to direct the play of the golfball, the provisions of sand traps, water hazards, deliberately placedtrees, shrubs, and vegetation, etc. These hazards affect, for example,the type of shot the player may hit, the path the player may take fromthe selected tee box to the target green, the lie and roll of the golfball, etc.

Another type of defense is an out of bound area. If a player hits a golfball out of bounds, such as into a home-site buffer zone, the playertypically picks up the golf ball and take a drop back in the field ofplay. The player is penalized for hitting out of bounds and adds one ormore penalty strokes to his or her score.

Tee boxes T1-Tn are located on the compact golf course 10. The number,size, and location of the tee boxes for the compact golf course is onefactor that determines the overall golf course design strategy and thepossible golf hole opportunities. FIG. 3 shows exemplary tee boxeslocations. As shown in FIG. 3, tee boxes T1-T6 are preferably locatedaround the perimeter of the exemplary parcel of land of FIGS. 1 and 2.Preferably, the tee boxes are located as close to the periphery of theparcel as possible while still ensuring the safety of the home. Inembodiments of the privatized golf course community, the tee boxes maybe located just within the home-site and/or in between home-sites.Positioning the tee boxes proximate the perimeter of the parcel (and/orjust within and/or between the home sites) helps ensure the maximum holedistance for the compact golf course 10, and enhances the variety ofhole possibilities and shot opportunities.

Preferably, for a rectangular or square shaped area of open space forthe compact golf course, there are at least four tee boxes, located withone in each corner area. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG.3, four corner tee boxes T1, T3, T4, and T6 and two side tee boxes T2and T5 are provided. The corner and side tee boxes are shown positionedbetween the home-site buffer zone near the periphery of the parcel 1.Alternatively, the tee boxes could be positioned toward the interior orcentral region 5 of the parcel 1 and inward of the home-site bufferzones 7. The tee box areas may have a variety of shapes. As shown inFIG. 3, the corner tee boxes have a substantially L-shape and the sidetee boxes have a substantially rectangular shape. The tee box area caninclude natural, synthetic, or a combination of natural and synthetictufts.

Preferably, the tee boxes provide for a level stance and are sided toallow for a variety of launch positions (i.e., providing variations inshot distance, launch angles, etc.) within each tee box area, therebyensuring maximum variations in shot opportunities. Also, the tee boxesare preferably sized to provide sufficient room to move the launchposition around within the tee box area to maintain the tee box in goodcondition and allow for maintenance of the tee box. For example, teeboxes covering about 5,000 to about 15,000 sq. ft. may be sufficient toensure a variety of launch positions within each tee box.

The location, number, and size of the tee boxes can vary depending onseveral factors including the location, number, size and shape of: theparcel, the lots, the home-site, the other tee boxes, the greens, othergolf course features, etc. The tee box design will also be determined,in part, by the number of possible golf hole combinations desired.

In designing the compact golf course 10, it is desirable to measure thedistances from the various tee box locations to the confinements of thedesignated golf course area and other points of interest within theparcel, such as the parcel lines, parcel line buffer zone, home-sitebuffer zone, homes, other tee boxes, potential hazard locations,potential green locations, etc. These measurements are useful indesigning the actual hole lay-out on the golf course and also inensuring home safety.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary measurements from side tee box T5 to variouspoints of interest on the parcel. For example, line A shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to home location H5; line B shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to home location H3; line C shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to tee box T1; line D shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to home location H1; line E shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to tee box T2; line F shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to home location H2; line G shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to tee box T3; line H shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to home location H4; line I shows ameasurement from the tee box T5 to home location H6. Other measurementsmay be taken from tee box T5 as necessary in the design of the golfcourse. For the exemplary forty acre parcel of FIGS. 1-3, exemplarymeasurements from tee box T5 are: Line Yards A 278.00 B 364.88 C 425.69D 417.00 E 417.00 F 417.00 G 425.69 H 364.88 I 278.00

FIG. 5 shows exemplary measurements from corner tee box T6 to variouspoints of interest on the parcel. For example, line A shows ameasurement from the tee box T6 to tee box T1; line B shows ameasurement from the tee box T6 to home location H1; line C shows ameasurement from the tee box T6 to tee box T2; line D shows ameasurement from the tee box T6 to home location H2; line E shows ameasurement from the tee box T6 to tee box T3; line F shows ameasurement from the tee box T6 to home location H4; line G shows ameasurement from the tee box T6 to home location H6; line H shows ameasurement from the tee box T6 to tee box T4. Other measurements may betaken from tee box T6 as necessary in the design of the golf course. Forthe exemplary forty acre parcel of FIGS. 1-3, exemplary measurementsfrom tee box T6 are: Line Yards A 312.75 B 347.50 C 425.69 D 495.19 E556.00 F 547.31 G 495.19 H 451.75

FIG. 6 shows the addition of two side tee boxes T7 and T8. The additionof side tee boxes T7 and T8 allows the golf course design to incorporatemore par-3 hole possibilities and also creates additional holepossibilities. Each additional tee box can create up to one times thenumber of greens (1×number of greens) additional hole possibilities.

As shown in FIG. 6, exemplary measurements are taken from the left sidetee box T7 to various points of interest on the parcel. For example,line A shows a measurement from the tee box T7 to home location HI; lineB shows a measurement from the tee box T7 to tee box T2; line C shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to home location H2; line D shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to tee box T3; line E shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to home location H4; line F shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to tee box T8; line G shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to home location H6; line H shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to tee box T4; line I shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to home location H8; line J shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to tee box T5; and line K shows ameasurement from the tee box T7 to home location H7. Other measurementsmay be taken from tee box T7 as necessary in the design of the golfcourse. For the exemplary forty acre parcel of FIGS. 1-3, exemplarymeasurements from tee box T7 are: Line Yards A 191.13 B 312.75 C 382.25D 469.13 E 477.81 F 408.31 G 477.81 H 469.13 I 382.25 J 312.75 K 191.13

Similar measurements would preferably be taken from each of the othertee boxes T1-Tn. Other features of interest that may be desirable tomeasure the distance from each tee box include hazards, such as ditches,ravines, hills, cliffs, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and the like.

These distance measurements are also useful in the design process forlocating other features of the compact golf course, such as greenlocation strategy. Knowing the created distance variation possibilitiesfrom each tee box T1-Tn before actual location of the greens on thecompact golf course 10 is helpful in creating the maximum amount of holepossibilities and the optimal hole lay-outs, especially in terms of holedistance variation, hole path variations, and hole playability. Inaddition, these measurements are helpful in ensuring home safety.

FIG. 7 shows the potential golf course area 11 for the compact golfcourse 10 for the forty acre parcel 1 of FIGS. 1-6. The potential golfcourse area 11 for the compact golf course 10 includes whatever space isleft over after considering the parcel-line buffer-zone, the home-sites,and the home-site buffer-zones. As shown, the potential golf course area11 includes the open space in the interior or central region 5 of theparcel. The potential golf course area 11 can also include the openspace between home-site buffer zones 12. Preferably, the size of thepotential golf course area 11 for the compact golf course 10 is at leastten acres and less than about one hundred acres. The preferred range forthe size of the potential golf course area 11 is about twelve to aboutthirty acres. In the case of FIG. 7, the acreage available for thecompact golf course 10 can be estimated at about twenty to abouttwenty-six acres.

FIGS. 32A-32D illustrates an exemplary green complex location strategyfor the parcel 1 and privatized golf course community having a compactgolf course 10 shown in FIG. 31. Preferably, the green location strategyseeks to maximize the variety of approach shot angles and distancevariations. As shown, various measurement distances are taken from thevarious tee box locations to potential green locations within thepotential golf course area 11. By taking and comparing distancemeasurements from each of the tee box locations to potential greenlocations, the greens can preferably be located to maximize the holepossibilities and shot opportunities. The green location strategypreferably maximizing the variety of shot distances, and seeks to avoidcommon distances from different tee boxes to any particular greenlocation.

Preferably, distance measurements are taken from each of the tee boxlocations T1-Tn to the potential green locations G1-Gn. FIGS. 32A and32B illustrate a comparison of exemplary distance measurements from twoof the tee boxes, tee box T1 and tee box T2, to potential greenlocations A-G. Line Yards Line Yards A 333 A 143 B 357 B 191 C 397 C 294D 468 D 357 E 421 E 333 F 357 F 341 G 333 G

FIGS. 32C and 32D illustrate a comparison of exemplary distancemeasurements from two of the tee boxes, again tee box T1 and tee box T2,to potential green locations A-J. These distance measurements can beused by a designer of the compact golf course to determine the preferredlocation of the greens to maximize hole possibilities and shotopportunities. Line Yards Line Yards A 310 A 119 B 373 B 183 C 389 C 230D 429 D 286 E 468 E 349 F 468 F 373 G 429 G 357 H 389 H 357 I 365 I 373J 310 J 349

FIG. 8 shows exemplary green G1-Gn locations within the golf course area11. Nine green G1-G9 locations are shown in FIG. 8. The greens arepreferably located to maximize the potential hole distance and optimizethe hole possibilities and playability. As shown, the greens arepreferably located around the periphery of the interior or centralregion 5 of the golf course area 11. Also as shown, the greens G1-G9 arepreferably location toward the interior or central region 5 of the golfcourse area 11 with respect to the tee boxes T1-T8.

As can be appreciated, the number of hole possibilities is determined,at least in part, by the number of tee boxes Tn and the number of greensGn. The number of hole possibilities can be the number of tee boxestimes the number of greens (Tn×Gn). A player can shoot to any green fromany of the tee boxes. So, for the exemplary compact golf course 10 shownin FIG. 8, the number of hole possibilities may be seventy two holes(eight tee boxes (T1-T8)=nine greens (G1-G9)=seventy two holepossibilities). In addition, in the illustrated exemplary privatizedresidential golf course community having a compact golf course, seventytwo hole possibilities are provided on a forty acre parcel having eighthome-sites.

The location, number, and size of the greens can vary depending onseveral factors including the location, number, size and shape of: theparcel, the lots, the home-sites, the tee boxes, the other greens, etc.Preferably, the greens are of sufficient size to provide a variety ofpin locations on the green and to facilitate a variety of approach shots(i.e., approach shot distance, angle, loft, etc.). Preferably, thegreens have a size of about 7,000 to about 9,000 sq. ft. A preferredrange of the number of greens is about 7 to about 13 greens. The designof the greens will also be determined, in part, by the number ofpossible golf hole combinations desired.

Preferably, the compact golf course includes hazards. Hazards mayinclude, for example, the general terrain and topography of the parcel,undulations, contours, obstacle, obstructions, trees, shrubs, bushes,other vegetation, rocks, stones, walls, fences, the texture and heightof grasses, sand traps or bunkers, water holes, etc. These hazards canaffect hole possibilities and shot opportunities, such as shot path andshot distance, the lie and roll of the golf ball, etc. Hazards arepreferably designed and located to make the hole possibilities morechallenging by considering how a particular hazard will effect shotvalue and shot strategy.

FIG. 8 also shows a plurality of sand traps or bunkers B1-Bn (referredto hereinafter as bunkers). As shown in FIG. 8, the bunkers arestrategically located around the compact golf course to provide defensesand to make the compact golf course more challenging. Bunkers caninclude fairway bunkers and green-side bunkers. The fairway bunkers arelocated in or along the fairway areas and are typically located aroundareas, or at distances, where golfer tend to hit a majority of shots,such as tee shot landing areas. For example, fairway bunkers aretypically located at the tee shot landing area, i.e., the distances fromthe tee boxes where groups of golfers are likely to hit a tee shot, orwhere players typically lay-up when approaching a green. Bunkers B-17,B-18, and B-19 of FIG. 8 are examples of fairway bunkers. Green-sidebunkers are typically located around, and protect the greens. BunkersB-1 and B-2 around green G-2 of FIG. 8 are examples of green-sidebunkers.

In addition to the green-side bunkers that protect the area around thegreens, golf course defenses can be incorporated into the greensthemselves. Green defenses can be used to control the direction andspeed of the ball on the green surface. Defenses on the greens arepreferred because the compact golf course provides a plurality ofapproach shots to the greens and therefore it is not always possible toadequately protect a green using green-side bunkers alone. Greendefenses can include, for example, the use of contours, undulations,plateaus, rolls, swales, grass type, grass grains, elevation changesfrom the fairway, and the like.

FIG. 9 show exemplary fairway 15 implementation. Preferably, thefairways are defined so as to maximize the different strategiesavailable to a player for playing a selected hole possibility. Thisstrategy should account for the tee shot from the selected tee box orthe approach shot to the selected target green, and preferably thefairway design accounts for both. As shown in FIG. 9, the compact golfcourse includes a fairway central area 15 a in the interior or centralregion 5 of the compact golf course 10. Preferably, the fairway centralarea 15 a provides the primary landing area for a plurality of thepossible tee shots for various hole possibilities on the compact golfcourse.

The fairway central area 15 a is preferably left substantially open, anddevoid of tee boxes and greens. But in certain embodiments, one or moretee boxes and/or greens may be strategically located in or around theinterior, central region 5. Select hazards may be strategically locatedwithin the fairway central area 15 a, such as, for example, bunkers B17,B18, and B19 in FIG. 9, but any hazards should be limited to ensure arelatively large and open common fairway area.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9 the fairway implementation may includeone or more fairway branches 15 b. The fairway branches 15 b extend fromthe fairway central area 15 a toward one or more of the greens. Forexample, a fairway branch 15 b is shown in FIG. 9 extending from thefairway central area 15 a toward green G-1. Also, a fairway branch 15 bmay further branch into two or more fairway sub-branches that extendfrom the original fairway branch toward one or more of the greens. Forexample, a fairway branch 15 b having additional sub-branches is shownin FIG. 9 extending from the fairway central area 15 a toward greensG-7, G-8, and G-9.

FIG. 10 shows another exemplary fairway l5 a/15 b implementation andalso includes a water hazard 16. As shown in FIG. 10, the fairwayimplementation integrates the natural water hazard 16 into the compactgolf course design to effect shot strategy and hole possibilities. Asshown, the water hazard 16 includes a pond or lake-like portion 16 a anda stream or river-like portion 16 b extending from the main body of thewater. The fairway implementation of FIG. 10 still includes a fairwaycentral area 15 a in the interior or central region 5 of the compactgolf course and one or more fairway branches 15 b. As shown, the fairwaycentral area 15 a provided in the central region 5 of the golf courseand can be used a common landing area for a majority of shots on thecompact golf course.

As shown in FIG. 10, the residential community includes eight homes.Also as shown, the compact golf course of FIG. 10 includes eight teeboxes T1-T8, seven greens G1-G7, and twenty-five bunkers B1-B25.

FIG. 11 show the implementation of rough or waste areas 20 in and aroundthe compact golf course 10. Preferably, rough 20 is established atstrategic locations in and around the compact golf course 10 to provideadditional defenses and to make the compact golf course 10 morechallenging. As shown, the rough 20 is generally disposed around andalong the fairways 15, tee boxes T1-Tn, greens G1-Gn, and bunkers B1-Bn.In this manner, errant shots that miss the fairway area 15 or greensoften find the rough 20. Shots from the rough 20 are generally moredifficult and provide less options to the player than shots hit from thefairway. As a result, players are typically penalized with a moredifficult next shot for hitting a bad shot that ends up in the rough.

Preferably, the rough areas incorporate features natural for thelocation of the compact golf course. For example, for a compact golfcourse in the south-eastern part of the United States, the rough wouldpreferably be fescue or some other type of long growing grass.Alternatively, for a compact golf course in the south-western part ofthe United States, the rough would preferably be a dirt, rock, desert,waste-like landscape. Shots from the rough are typically more difficultthan shots hit from the fairway because the golf ball typically has apoor lie or is sitting and a surface that is more difficult to hit from.As another example, golf balls in the rough do not allow a player to geta clean hit on a golf ball and as a result a player may have moredifficulty putting a spin on the ball.

FIG. 11 also shows the placement of trees, shrubs and other vegetation21. Trees, shrubs and other vegetation 21 may be used for severalreasons, including home safety, home seclusion, aesthetic value, toaffect shot choice, to affect hole possibilities, etc. Generally, trees,shrubs and other vegetation 21 are located in and around the homes, teeboxes and in the rough areas alone fairways.

The location of the various golf course features (tee boxes, greens,hazards, fairways, rough, etc. are preferably implemented to maximizehole playability. Hole playability includes factors such as creating themaximum amount of hole possibilities, creating the maximum distance anddistance variations, increasing shot value, ensuring home safety, etc.

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate several hole possibilities for a player todynamically choose from on the compact golf course. One of the novelfeatures of the compact golf course is that a player is not required toplay a set pattern or order of holes. The player may dynamically selectthe holes to be played either prior to starting a round, or on the flyduring a round—as the player completes a hole, the player randomlyselects the next tee from any of the tees on the course and randomlyselects any one of the greens on the course as the target green to hitto from the selected tee.

FIG. 12 illustrates all of the hole possibilities to green G7, showingthe potential launch points and general hole paths to green G7. Thepotential launch points include all of the tee boxes T1-T8 on thecompact golf course. As can be seen from the figures, there are aplurality of possible hole opportunities, and in the case of theembodiment shown in FIG. 12, there are at least eight different holepossibilities for a player to select from. Further, the size andorientation of the tee boxes also provide additional hole opportunitiesand shot choices. Preferably, the tee boxes are of sufficient size toallow the hole distance to fluctuate thereby providing further holepossibilities and shot options. For example, the box may be sized toallow distance fluctuations of approximately 10-50 yards depending wherewithin the tee box area the player decides to hit the tee shot. Thiswill require that the player hit a different golf club depending on thehole distance. Further, the fairway lay out also provides additionalhole opportunities and shot choices, such as explained in more detailbelow with respect to FIG. 14C.

Shot choices or shot opportunities include, for example, shot path, shotdistance, shot loft, shot angle, etc. For example, with respect to shotdistance, the player would have the option and would have to decidewhether to gamble and try to hit a long tee shot over a hazard or playit safe and lay up short of the hazard. If the player successfullygamble and clears the hazard, then the player would be rewarded with ashort, and presumably easy shot to the green. If the player gambleunsuccessfully and hits into the hazard, then the player is penalizedwith a much more difficult second shot, one that the player may not evenbe able to attempt to reach the green with.

As another example with respect to shot angle, the player may have theoption and would have to decide whether: (i) to take a straight andshorter path toward the green that has a relatively difficult approachshot to the green, or (ii) possibly an in-direct and longer path towardthe green that has a relatively easy approach shot to the green.

FIG. 12 illustrates the yardage distance from each of the tee boxes togreen G7. Exemplary distances from the various tee boxes to green G7 arelisted in the table below: Tee Box Yards to G7 1 460 2 313 3 235 4 104 5122 6 209 7 408 8 374Having a plurality of difference available to choose from allows thecompact golf course to accommodate golfers of skill levels.

FIG. 13A show the hole possibility from tee box T1 to green G7. Theapproximate boundaries 25 and probable ball path of the selected hole T1-G7 are illustrated. As shown for the exemplary compact golf course ofFIG. 13A, selected hole T1 -G7 would be a 460 yard,par-4 hole. asexplained above, once the player has selected the hole to be played, theplayer would still have several options regarding shot opportunities(i.e., shot path, shot distance, short angle, etc. to the green.

FIG. 13B show one possible ball path 25 from tee box T1 to green G7. Asshown, the tee shot can play relatively straight and down the middle ofthe fairway (along shot path 25 a). A tee shot on this trajectory andhit a distance of, for example, 286 yards would land and come to a stopin the fairway 15 a short of the fairway bunkers B17, B18, B19. Thisplaces the golf ball is a relatively safe position and with a moderatedistance for the second shot to the green G7. As shown,the second shotmay be played directly toward the green G7 (along shot path 25 b). Aapproach shot this trajectory and hit a distance of, for example, 173yards would land and come to a stop on the green G7. The second shotwould have to clear the green-side bunker B13 and B14, and also be hitshort enough not to go over the green G7 and into green-side bunkers B15or B16.

A more aggressive ball path may be taken. For example, the player mayopt to aim the tee to the left of the illustrated ball path in FIG. 13B.This shot path is more risky because the shot must clear fairway bunkersB4, B5, and B6. However, a tee shot hit on the more aggressive shot pathand angle from tee box T1 and also hit the same distance as the tee shotillustrated in FIG. 13B would leave a much shorter, and presumablyeasier, second shot to the green G7. The second still have to contendwith a similar approach shot and hazards as the approach shotillustrated in FIG. 13B.

Alternatively, a less aggressive, and safer, shot may be decided upon bythe golfer. For example the player may opt to aim the tee shot to theright of the illustrated ball path in FIG. 13B. This shot path and angleis less risky because there are no fairway traps that should come intoplay alone this shot path. However, a tee shot hit from tee box T1 onthe less aggressive shot angle and also hit the same distance as the teeshot illustrated in FIG. 13B would leave a much longer, and presumablyharder, second shot to the green G7. The player could risk it and chooseto go for the green or alternatively, could play another safe shot andlay up in the fairway area 15 b in front of the green G7. A relativelyshort, and presumably easy, chip shot would then be left for the playerto get the golf ball on the green G7.

FIG. 14A shows one hole possibility from tee box T5 to green G7. Theapproximate boundaries 24 and probable ball path of the selected holeT5-G7 are illustrated. As shown for the exemplary compact golf course ofFIG. 14A, selected hole T5-G7 would be a 122 yard, par-3 hole. Asexplained above, once the player has selected the hole to be played (asshown, hole T5 to G7) from the plurality of hole possibilities, theplayer would still have several options regarding shot opportunities(i.e., shot path, shot distance, shot angle, etc.) to the green G7.

FIG. 14B show one possible ball path 25 from tee box T5 to green G7. Asshown, the tee shot can be hit from various launch position within teebox T5. For example, the tee shot could be hit from a portion T5 a oftee box T5 closest to green G7 along ball path 25 a. This tee shot wouldpresent the shortest, and presumably easiest, shot to the green. Asshown, this shot would be about 191 yards. This portion T5 a of the teebox T5 could be used for, for example, women, senior, children, etc.Alternatively, the tee shot could be launched from a middle portion T5 bof tee box T5 along ball path 25 b toward green G7. As shown, this shotwould be about 217 yards. This portion T5 b of the tee box T5 could beused for, for example, average men and women, teenagers, etc. In yetanother option to the player, the tee shot could be launched from aportion T5 c of tee box T5 along ball path 25 c. As shown, this shotwould present the longest, and presumably most difficult, shot to thegreen. As shown, this shot would be about 252 yards. This portion T5 cof the tee box T5 could be used for, for example, advanced andprofessional players, etc.

FIG. 14C shows how selection by the golfer of the ball path from theselected tee box to the target green can further increase the number ofhole possibilities. In addition to the ball path A illustrated andexplained with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the compact golf courseprovides for multiple additional ball paths, such as ball paths B and Cshown in FIG. 14C. For ball paths B and C, the golfer selects a targetarea, such as a marker, a line, an obstacle, a designated area, etc. onthe compact golf course that the golfer must first hit to or clearbefore turning toward and hitting at the target green G7. Ball path Amay provide the golfer with a par-3 hole, ball path B may provide thegolfer with a par-4 hole, and ball path C may provide the golfer with apar-5 hole.

Preferably, the compact golf course provides enough hole possibilitiesfor a golfer to play a full regulation round of golf. For example, thecompact golf course preferably include a combination of par-3 holes,par-4 holes, and par-5 holes and allows for eighteen holes of golf.Further, the compact golf course preferably includes sufficientcombinations of regulation-distance golf holes possibilities to allowfor a par range of from about 68 to about 74 and includes a totalyardage of from about 5,500 yards to about 7,500 yards. For a compactgolf course having at least nine hole possibilities, theregulation-distance golf holes possibilities preferably includecombinations allowing for a par range of from about 34 to about 37 andinclude a total yardage of from about 2,250 yards to about 3,750 yards.Although preferred hole yardage and par values are provided, theinvention is not limited to any minimum or maximum yardages or parvalves and the actual hole yardage and hole lay-out will depend on theopen space available for the compact golf course designer to work with.

The table below illustrates an exemplary round of eighteen holes of golfon the exemplary compact golf course 10 shown in FIG. 11. As illustratedin the table, the golfer may dynamically select the holes to be played,the hole and total yardage to be played, and the hole and course parvalue to be played. Individually selected hole possibilities are groupedinto a round of golf by the golfer. The dynamic hole selection can beperformed prior to starting a round of golf, or during the round. Asshown in the table, an exemplary eighteen holes of par 70 golf having atotal yardage of 6,370 yards can be dynamically selected and played bythe golfer. As can be appreciated, the present invention allows a full,regulation round of golf to be played on the exemplary compact golfcourse of FIG. 11 covering only about 20 to about 26 acres. Score HoleHole Hole par (# of Hole lay-out number yardage value strokes) T6-G7 1408 Par-4 T8-G2 2 365 Par-4 T1-G3 3 173 Par-3 T2-G7 4 313 Par-4 T3-G1 5485 Par-5 T7-G5 6 399 Par-4 T3-G9 7 434 Par-4 T5-G1 8 208 Par-3 T1-G5 9417 Par-4 T8-G3 10 295 Par-4 T1-G8 11 401 Par-4 T5-G4 12 364 Par-4 T2-G213 228 Par-3 T7-G7 14 374 Par-4 T4-G2 15 443 Par-4 T7-G9 16 156 Par-3T6-G5 17 495 Par-5 T3-G2 18 417 Par-4 Total 18 6370 70

The dynamic and/or random fashion of play afforded by the compact golfcourse makes it particularly well suited for low-volume usage.Low-volume usage applies to the number and the interaction of differentplayers/groups out on the course. Preferably, the number ofplayers/groups is such that the players/groups substantially do notinterfere with one another. In addition, grouping of players tends toimprove play on the course because the players are all playing the samehole together. For example, a group can include one to about sixgolfers. On the exemplary compact golf course of FIG. 11, about twogroups fit on the course with a relatively low-volume. Additionalplayers/groups can be accommodated, however, this increases the volumeof play on the course and is less desirable.

FIG. 15 another embodiment of the privatized golf course communitywherein the target parcel 1 is an irregular shaped piece of land. In theillustrated embodiment shown, the irregular parcel 1 is forty acres andis subject to low density zoning restrictions, which helps ensure thenecessary open space for the compact golf course similar to theembodiment of FIGS. 1-14 (e.g., R1-190 zoning). The low-density zoningresults in five acre minimum lots and eight homes.

The parcel depicted in FIG. 15 is a parcel that has low density zoningwith the availability to cluster development strategy. Cluster zoningtypically allows builders to condense the home area and designate main,large, area as open-space.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary residential design having home-sites H1-H8located near the periphery of the parcel of land for each of the homes.The interior or central region 5 of the parcel 1 is preferablydesignated as the required open space and will be used for the compactgolf course 10. Preferably, a parcel-line buffer zone 6 is provided aswell as a home-site buffer zone 7.

As shown in FIG. 16, distance measurements are taken from each of thetee boxes to the various points of interest in the design and lay-out ofthe compact golf course. The tee boxes are preferably located around theperiphery of the open space available for the compact golf course (i.e.,within and/or between the home-sites H1-H8). As shown, the distancemeasurements from one of the tee boxes, tee box T1 include: line A thatshows a measurement from tee box T1 to a front portion of tee box T3;line B that shows a measurement from tee box T1 to back portion of teebox T3; line C that shows a measurement from tee box T1 to home H3; lineD that shows a measurement from tee box T1 to tee box T4; line E thatshows a measurement from tee box T1 to home H4; line F that shows ameasurement from tee box T1 to home H5; line G that shows a measurementfrom tee box T1 to tee box T5; line H that shows a measurement from teebox T1 to home H6; line I that shows a measurement from tee box T1 tohome H7; line J that shows a measurement from tee box T1 to tee box T6;line K that shows a measurement from tee box T1 to the parcel line atpoint 27; line L that shows a measurement from tee box T1 to tee box T7;line M that shows a measurement from tee box T1 to home H8; etc. Similarmeasurements are preferably taken from each of the tee boxes. Othermeasurements may be taken as necessary is the design of the residentialcommunity and/or compact golf course.

For the exemplary irregular parcel of FIG. 16, exemplary measurementsfrom tee box T1 are: Line Yards A 260 B 287 C 374 D 451 E 547 F 590 G582 H 599 I 530 J 452 K 425 L 356 M 321

FIG. 17 shows the location of exemplary greens G1-Gn locations withinthe golf course area. Seven greens G1-G7 are shown in FIG. 17. Thegreens are preferably located to maximize the potential hole distanceand optimize the hole possibilities. To this end, the greens arepreferably located around the periphery of the interior or centralregion 5 of the golf course area. As shown, the greens are preferablylocation toward the interior or central region 5 of the golf course areawithin the perimeter of the tee box locations (i.e., within and/orbetween the tee boxes). As shown, the interior or central region 5 ofthe compact golf course is preferably left open and preferably does notinclude any tee boxes or greens. The distance measurements illustratedin FIG. 16 are preferably used in designing and locating the greens.

FIG. 18 illustrates the possible holes and exemplary shot paths fromeach of the tee boxes T1-T8 to green G1. Exemplary distance measurementsand par designations are listed below for the hole possibilitiesdepicted in FIG. 18: Hole possibility yardage Par value T1-G1 109 3T2-G1 182 3 T3-G1 321 4 T4-G1 452 4 T5-G1 556 5 T6-G1 400 4 T7-G1 304 4T8-G1 139 3

FIG. 19 illustrates the possible holes and exemplary shot paths fromeach of the tee boxes T1-T8 to green G2. Exemplary distance measurementsand par designations are listed below for the hole possibilitiesdepicted in FIG. 19: Hole possibility yardage par A 243 3 B 96 3 C 122 3D 261 ¾ E 426 4 F 365 4 G 348 4 H 287 4

FIG. 20 illustrates the possible holes and exemplary shot paths fromeach of the tee boxes T1-T8 to green G3. Exemplary distance measurementsand par designations are listed below for the hole possibilitiesdepicted in FIG. 20: Hole possibility yardage par A 365 4 B 225 3 or 4 C165 3 D 156 3 E 295 4 F 278 4 G 295 4 H 313 4

FIG. 21 shows exemplary measurements that can be made from each of thetee boxes T1-T8 toward the interior or central region 5 of the parcel 1.These measurements represent exemplary tee shots and are preferably madealong a line (not shown) in a direction that corresponds to the longestpossible distance from the tee box until an obstacle or obstructionwould be encountered. Dots A-H in the interior, center region 5correspond to a distance of approximately 280 yards from launch pointsA-H shown on each of the respective tee boxes T1-T8 and represent atypical tee shot. The cluster of dots A-H, as well as any outliningdots, can be used to facilitate fairway implementation. The cluster ofdots represents the preferred location of the common fairway area fortee shot landings. The stand-alone or outlying dots represent potentialbranch fairways.

For example, FIG. 22 illustrates the fairway implementation for the holepossibilities that are presented to a player teeing off of tee box T1.As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, the majority of thedots (i.e., dots B-E and H) are encompassed within the illustratedfairways between, for example, tee box T1 and greens G3-G6. The commonfairway area 15 a is represented by at least the overlapping areas ofeach of the fairways for the various hole possibilities. The branchfairways 15 b extend from the common fairway area toward each of thepotential greens, such as for example, G3-G7. As shown, green G2 couldhave a fairway area that is separate from the common fairway area.

In another example of the fairway implementation is illustrated in FIG.23. FIG. 23 shows the fairway implementation for the hole possibilitiesthat are presented to a player teeing off of tee box T5. As can be seenwith reference to FIGS. 21 and 23, the majority of the dots (i.e., dotsB-E and H) are again encompassed within the illustrated fairwaysbetween, for example, tee box T5 and greens G1-G3 and G6-G7. The commonfairway area 15 a is represented by the overlapping areas of each of thefairways for the various hole possibilities. The branch fairways 15 bextend from the common fairway area 15 a l toward each of the potentialgreens, such as for example, G1-G3 and G6-G7. As shown, greens G4 and G5could have fairway areas that are separate from the common fairway area.

FIG. 24 shows the exemplary compact golf course of FIGS. 15-23 with thetee boxes T1-T8, greens G1-G7, and fairway 15 a/15 b implement complete.FIG. 24 also shows exemplary bunker B locations, including both fairwaybunkers and green-side bunkers. Preferably, at least some of the fairwaybunkers are located proximate the normal landing area for tee shots toeffect tee shots from a plurality of tee boxes and the green-sidebunkers are preferably located to provide protection of the greens froma plurality of different approach angles. In addition, FIG. 24 showsrough 20 surrounding the fairway, bunker, and green areas.

FIG. 25 shows yet another possible arrangement and lay-out for aprivatized community having a compact golf course. FIG. 25 shows aparcel 1 of land of approximately twenty acres, having dimensions of 278yards×347.5 yards (834 feet×1042.5=869,445 square feet). The parcel 1 isbound by parcel lines 2. The dots illustrated on the parcel 1 on FIG. 25illustrate acre designations.

The table below illustrates two possible zoning designations for thetargeted parcel 1. Property Zoning Households spacing ID Type Lotrestrictions per lot requirements R1-190 Single Low density singleSingle Front - 60 ft. family family neighborhood family Side - 30 ft.residential uses (minimum dwelling unit Rear - 60 ft. 190,000 sq. ft.lot) per lot R1-130 Single Low density single Single Front - 60 ft.family family neighborhood family Side - 30 ft. residential uses(minimum dwelling unit Rear - 60 ft. 130,000 sq. ft. lot) per lot

Using the exemplary R1-190 zoning for the parcel yields minimum lotsizes of about 4.36 acres. For the target twenty acre parcel identifiedabove, this would allow for four lots of about 5 acres. Alternatively,using the R1-130 zoning for the parcel yields minimum lot sizes of about3.33 acres. For the target twenty acre parcel identified above, theR1-130 zoning would allow for six lots of about 3 acres. The remainingdiscussion of FIGS. 25-29 assumes that parcel is subject to the R1-190zoning.

Accordingly, the parcel 1 of land is divided into the allowed number oflots L1-Ln determined by the size of the parcel of land and the zoningrestrictions for the target parcel. The lots are designated in FIG. 26by lot lines 3. As shown in FIG. 26, the parcel is divided into foursubstantially equal sized lots L1-L4.

A home H1-Hn is placed on each lots. FIGS. 26 and 27 shows the placementof homes H1-H4 on each of lots L1-L4. Preferably, the homes are locatedon each lot to maximize the residential value and also maximize the areaavailable for the compact golf course. For example, in a preferredembodiment the homes are located on each lot proximate the periphery ofthe parcel 1 of land. However, if corner lots are undesirable, the homescan be located away from the corners of the parcel. As shown, the homesare preferably located just inside the periphery of the parcel lines 2while the compact golf course is preferably located in the interior orcentral region 5 of the parcel 1. In the illustrated embodiment, thehome size is about 8,000 sq. ft. and the home-site is approximately oneacre. That leaves approximately 16 acres of open space for constructionof the compact golf course.

The homes are also preferably placed to maximize home safety and visualsatisfaction. As shown in FIG. 27, each home preferably includes ahome-site buffer zone 7 to ensure the space/area around the home. Inaddition, a secondary buffer zone 6 can be established between thehome-site buffer zone and the parcel line to further ensure home safetyand also protect the compact golf course from the outside areasurrounding the parcel. The area within the secondary buffer zone is thearea of land 11 available for the compact golf course.

FIG. 28 shows distance measurements from one corner of the parcel topoints of interest along an opposite boundary of the parcel. Thesedistance measurements allow the designer of the compact golf course todetermine the location of various golf course features and maximize thehole distance, hole possibilities, and shot opportunities for thecompact golf course. Exemplary measurements from FIG. 28 are listed inthe table below: Line Yardage A 443 B 391 C 347.5 D 313 E 287

FIG. 29 shows the location of various features of the compact golfcourse, including tee boxes T1-T8, greens G1-G7, bunkers B1-B23, commonfairway area 15 a, branch fairways 15 b, and the rough areas 20. As canbe seen in FIG. 29, using the corner areas 12 of the parcel for portionsof the compact golf course, such as tee boxes and greens, helps ensurethe maximum hole distances possible for a particular parcel.

FIG. 30 shows another exemplary privatized golf course community 8,including a residential community 9 and a compact golf course 10. Asshown, the homes H1-H10 in the residential community 9 are generallylocated across a top end of the parcel 1 with some of the homes extendtoward the interior or center region 5 of the parcel 1. This design ofthe residential community 9 in the top portion of the parcel 1 createsopen space in the lower middle and side end portions of the parcel(i.e., at the bottom portion and the two side ends). As shown, cornertee boxes T1-T4 can be located in each of the corners of the open spaceand one relatively large and elongate tee box T5 can be located at thebottom portion of the parcel in the region between the open space at thetwo side ends. Greens G1-G7 and hazards, such as bunkers B1-B20 andrough areas 20, are strategically located to provide the maximum holepossibilities and potential golf shots. The fairway area include acommon fairway area 15 a in the lower middle portion of the open space,two semi-common fairway areas 15 c in the open space in the two side endportions, and various branch fairways 15 b.

FIG. 31 shows another exemplary privatized golf course community 8,including a residential community 9 and a compact golf course 10. Asshown, the homes H1-H6 in the residential community 9 are generallylocated alone two sides of the parcel 1 with two sides of the parcel 1remaining open. This design of the residential community 9 alone twoends of the parcel 1 creates open space in the central regions and atthe top and bottom ends of the parcel. As shown, corner tee boxes T1,T3, T4, T6 can be located in each of the corners of the open space and,for example, one tee box T2 can be located proximate one side of theparcel having home sites, and another tee box T5 can be locatedproximate the other side of the parcel having home sites. Greens G1-G6and hazards, such as bunkers B1-B16 and rough areas 20, arestrategically located to provide the maximum hole possibilities andpotential golf shot opportunities. The fairway area include a commonfairway area 15 a in the middle portion of the open space and variousbranch fairways 15 b.

FIG. 33 shows an exemplary corner tee box. As shown in FIG. 33, thecorner tee box may be formed at an angle and is preferably sized andoriented on the course to further provide the maximum hole possibilitiesand shot opportunities. Depending on the target green the player choosesto shot for, the tee box provides numerous hole possibilities and shotopportunities. For example, if the player is playing to target green G1shown in FIG. 33, then the corner tee box may provide shot possibilitiesof about 220 yards from portion Z, about 190 yards from portion Y, andabout 150 yards from portion X. In addition, portion Z also providesvarying shot opportunities, such as different shot angles depending onwhether the player launches the tee shot from the top or the bottom ofportion Z of the illustrated corner tee box.

FIGS. 34A and 34B show portions of an exemplary compact golf course anddetails of how various hole possibilities result in different shotopportunities and challenges to the player. FIG. 34B shows a detail viewof a portion of an exemplary compact golf course of FIG. 34A showing thetee shot opportunities (represented by arrows) to a common fairway area15 a for several hole possibilities. Several hazards, including fairwaybunkers B3, B4, B6, a stream 16, and rough 20, are illustrated. As shownin FIG. 34B, each shot opportunity includes different hazards, or groupsof hazards, that the player has to contend with. Likewise, FIG. 34Cshows a detail view of an exemplary target green and the variousapproach shot opportunities (represented by arrows) to an exemplarytarget green G. Several green-side bunkers B1 and B2 and a fairwaybunker B3 are illustrated and, as can be seen, each of the differentapproach shot angles presents the player with a different hazard.

The player may play from any tee box Tn to any green Gn on the compactgolf course 10. This may include playing from a tee box on one side ofthe compact golf course to a green on the opposite side of the golfcourse. In other words, the hole is played in a substantially linearfashion from the tee box to the green.

Alternatively, the player may hit a tee shot from a tee box on one sideof the compact golf course to a target green that is on an adjacent sideof the compact golf course. In this scenario, the player may select tohit directly to the green (in a substantially linear fashion) in whichcase the hole may play as a par-3 hole, or may select to hit to adesignated area on the compact golf course, such as the common fairwayarea 15 a in the interior or central region 5 of the compact golfcourse, first and then turn and hit a subsequent shot toward the targetgreen, in which case the hole may play as a par-4 hole. This is typicalof a dog-leg hole, and the hole may dog-leg to the right or leftdepending on the hole lay-out as selected by the player. In this manner,the player selects target area 30, such as a marker, a boundary line 31,an obstacle, a designated area, etc. that the player has to first hit toor clear before turning toward the target green. The target area 30 mayinclude a feature of, or on, the golf course, such as a trap or bunker,a hill, a ditch, a ravine, a pond, a lake, a stream, a tree, a bush, amarker, etc.

A player may also select to play to a target green that is on the sameside as, or adjacent to, the selected tee box. Again, the player wouldselect target area 30, an object or obstacle, a boundary line 31, adesignated area, a marker, etc. that the player has to first hit to orclear before turning back to the target green. This is type of holepossibility is a switch-back hole possibility. The switch-back caninclude an angle of up to and including 180 degrees.

This method of play, of dog-legs and/or switch-backs, allows holepossibilities of greater length than may otherwise be possible on thecompact golf course 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 35, the player mayselect a hole possibility from tee box T6 to green G6, and also mayselect to play this as a par-5 hole. To achieve the desired distance ofa par-5 hole of, for example 516 yards, the player can select to hit atee shot from tee box T6 and may designates a boundary line 31 (ortarget area 30) at approximately 235 yards out from the tee box towardthe common fairway area 15 a. The boundary line 31 can be represented byone or more features of the compact golf course 10, such as for example,the group of fairway bunkers B around the common fairway area 15 a. Theplayer hit the tee shot, and as many subsequent shots as necessary, toclear the boundary line 31. Once the boundary line 31 has been crossed,the player turns back (switch-back) toward the target green G6. Asshown, if the player hits a tee shot of about 265 yard from tee box T6to the left side of the common fairway area 15 a, then the player wouldhave a shot of about 250 yards to get back to the target green G6.

When given a plot of land with the intention of designing a small-scaleprivatized residential golfing community, there are certain processes tofollow and certain design features that should be present in order topreferably maximize both the visual satisfaction for the residents thatlive around the golf course as well as the playing capabilities of thegolf course itself. In an embodiment including a residential golf coursecommunity, the design strategy of both the compact golf course and theresidential development are preferably integrated to maximize thebenefits of each aspect of the design. For example, the golf course ispreferably designed in direct correlation with the residentialdevelopment strategy in order to satisfy a business angle of propertyvalue inflation while offering a privatized golf course amenity thatoffers unprecedented playability in terms of strategy and visualsatisfaction.

Exemplary design goals for the development include: (1) to create themaximum amount of golf hole possibilities within the open spaceavailable for the compact golf course; (2) to locate the tee boxes andgreens in order to create the greatest potential for hole length andphysical characteristics variation within the designated golf courseland; (3) to arrange the centralized tee-shot landing area as tochallenge the golfer from a plurality of feasible launch angles; (4) tocreate the maximum amount of approach shot angles into the numerousgreen complexes; (5) to locate the green complexes as to createdistinctly different approach shots, i.e., to make each green appear asits own entity, each entity having many different angles created fordifferent strategy of approach shot; (6) maximize all, or incorporatingas many as possible of the above features of the compact golf coursewithin the open space remaining after the finalized orientation of theintegrated residential home sites; and the like.

Although several embodiments described above describe the compact golfcourse integrated with a new residential community, the invention is notso limited. The invention also includes a compact golf course, compactgolf courses integrated with existing homes and/or communities, and thelike. The invention also covers residential golf course communitieswherein the homes are constructed in phases, and also embodimentswherein some of the homes may be built set-back from the golf course. Inthe case of set-back homes, the home still preferably includes views ofthe compact golf course. For example, the set-back homes may be locatedbetween golf-front homes, elevated above golf-front homes, etc.

Another benefit of the compact golf course that allows golfers todynamically select what golf holes they would like to play from aplurality of hole possibilities is that the compact golf course canaccommodate golfers of different skill levels. For example, a moreskilled golfer can select more challenging holes (tee, fairway, green,hazards, etc. combinations) while a less skilled golfer can select lesschallenging holes. A hole may be made more difficult, for example, bythe player choosing to increase the length of the hole, increase thedifficulty of the available shot selection, incorporate more hazardsinto the hole, etc. Alternatively, a less skilled golfer may choose tomake a hole less difficult by decreasing the length of the hole,decreasing the difficulty of the available shot selection, incorporatingless hazards into the hole, etc. This makes playing the compact golfcourse enjoyable for more skilled golfer while not being too difficultfor less skilled golfer, and vice versa, makes playing the compact golfcourse enjoyable for less skilled golfer while not being too easy formore skilled golfer. Thus, in addition to preferably providing for afull regulation distance golf course on a compact parcel of land 1, thecompact golf course 10 also accommodates golfers having varying skilllevels.

In addition, the compact golf course also preferably designed to providean interactive course having a palette of golf course features (tee box,green, fairway, hazards, etc.) from which a golfer can create a versionof a golf hole from a plurality of golf hole possibilities. Preferably,the compact golf course is designed to include a template of golf coursefeatures that provide the maximum amount of creative potential for thegolfer to choose/select from within a predetermined piece of land.

Still another benefit of the compact golf course 10 is that because ofthe plurality of hole possibilities provided, the compact golf course iseasy to maintain and keep in good shape. On conventional golf coursehaving a pre-determined hole lay-out that requires that golfers play thenumbered holes in numerical order and follow a common route from thefirst tee down the first fairway to the first green, second tee down thesecond fairway to the second green, etc. certain common areas get aconcentration of play. Areas that experience a concentration in of playexperience more wear and tear, thus requiring continuous maintenance tokeep these areas in good playing condition. This is not the case for thecompact golf course and hence the compact golf course is easier to keepin good condition and maintain.

The reason for this is simply, the compact golf course 10 allows golfersto dynamically select the hole to be played from a plurality of holepossibilities, and hence there are no common routes that are followed bygolfers. In addition, the golfer can select to hit to any green from anytee box. In this manner, golfer may enter and exit the tee box areasfrom different angles because they will be coming from or heading todifferent locations (i.e., coming from the previous hole possibilityselected and heading to the target green selected for the current holepossibility selected). As a result, the area around the tee boxes do notexperience a concentration of play. Because the golfer can select to hitfrom any tee box to any green, the fairway will change constantly basedon the hole possibility selected. As a result, the fairway area does notexperience a concentration of play in any particular area. Further, thegreens may be approached from any of the tee boxes on the compact golfcourse. The approach angles to the greens vary because of the locationof the different tee boxes. As a result, the area around the greens alsodoes not experience a concentration of play.

A further advantage of integrating a compact golf course with aresidential community, is that a plurality of home owners can share inthe cost associated with the compact golf course (i.e., the cost ofdesigning, constructing, maintaining, operating, managing, etc. thecompact golf course). The design and construction costs can be included,for example, in the cost of purchasing the home. The maintenance,operation, and management costs can be paid, for example, via annularassessments/dues.

While systems and methods have been described and illustrated withreference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art willrecognize that modification and variations may be made without departingfrom the principles described above and set forth in the followingclaims. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims asdescribing the scope of disclosed embodiments.

1. A compact golf course, said compact golf course comprising: a golfcourse perimeter defining an outer boundary of said compact golf course;a peripheral area located within said perimeter; an interior, centralregion located within said peripheral area; a plurality of tee boxeslocated proximate said golf course perimeter and within said golf courseperipheral area; a plurality of greens located proximate and within saidplurality of tee boxes; a common fairway area located in said interior,central region of said compact golf course; and a plurality of golf holepossibilities comprising golf holes formed from any of said plurality oftee boxes to any of said plurality of greens; whereby said compact golfcourse allows a player to dynamically select to play any of saidplurality of golf hole possibilities.
 2. The compact golf course ofclaim 1, wherein said plurality of golf hole possibilities furthercomprise a plurality of golf hole possibilities that may be dynamicallycreated by said player from one or more pre-determined and fixed golfcourse features, wherein said fixed golf course features comprise one ormore of: said tee boxes, said greens, said common fairway area, and/orhazards.
 3. The compact golf course of claim 1, wherein said pluralityof tee boxes, said plurality of greens, and/or said common fairway areacomprise a template that said player can work within to dynamicallychose to play any of said golf hole possibilities.
 4. The compact golfcourse of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tee boxes, said pluralityof greens, and/or said common fairway area are strategically located to:maximize said number of hole possibilities; maximize a variety of holelength; maximize a variety of tee shots; and/or maximize a variety ofgreen approach shots.
 5. The compact golf course of claim 1, whereinsaid golf hole possibilities is determined by a number of tee boxescomprising said plurality of tee boxes multiplied by a number of greenscomprising said plurality of greens.
 6. The compact golf course of claim5, wherein said golf hole possibilities is further determined by saiddynamic manner of play made available to said player, wherein saidcommon centralized fairway area allows said player to play severaldifferent ball paths from a selected tee box to a selected target green,wherein each of said ball paths comprises a different golf holepossibility.
 7. The compact golf course of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of ball paths from a tee box to a green, whereby said compactgolf course allows said player to dynamically select to play any of saidplurality of ball paths.
 8. The compact golf course of claim 7, whereinsaid plurality of ball paths allow for golf hole possibilities of: apar-3 golf hole possibility, a par-4 golf hole possibility, and/or apar-5 golf hole possibility, wherein said plurality of ball paths andresulting golf hole possibilities are formed between the same teebox/green combination, depending on a selected ball path that saidplayer chooses to play.
 9. The compact golf course of claim 1, whereinsaid golf course perimeter further comprises an enclosed area of landcovering less than about one hundred acres.
 10. The compact golf courseof claim 1, wherein said compact golf course further comprises an areaof land enclosed within a range of about twelve to about thirty acres.11. The compact golf course of claim 1, wherein said compact golf coursecomprises at least eighteen golf hole possibilities.
 12. The compactgolf course of claim 11, wherein said at least eighteen golf holepossibilities further comprise regulation-distance golf holes.
 13. Thecompact golf course of claim 12, wherein said regulation-distance golfholes comprise a combination of par-3 holes, par-4 holes, and par-5holes.
 14. The compact golf course of claim 12, wherein saidregulation-distance golf holes possibilities comprise combinationsallowing for a total par range of from about 68 to about 74 and having atotal yardage of from about 5,500 yards to about 7,500 yards.
 15. Thecompact golf course of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tee boxescomprises less than eighteen tee boxes, and wherein said plurality ofgreens comprises less than eighteen greens.
 16. The compact golf courseof claim 1, wherein said plurality of tee boxes comprises less than ninetee boxes, and wherein said plurality of greens comprises less than ninegreens.
 17. The compact golf course of claim 1, further comprising oneor more fairway branches, said fairway branches extending from saidcommon fairway area toward one or more of said greens.
 18. The compactgolf course of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hazardsstrategically located around said compact golf course.
 19. The compactgolf course of claim 18, wherein said plurality of hazards furthercomprise a plurality of bunkers.
 20. The compact golf course of claim19, wherein said plurality of bunkers further comprise: a plurality offairway bunkers arranged in or proximate said common fairway area,wherein said fairway bunkers being located in and around said fairwaysto affect tee shots from one than one of said plurality of tee boxes;and a plurality of green-side bunkers arranged around said greens,wherein said green-side bunkers are located around said greens to affectapproach shots from a plurality of shot angles to each of said greens.21. The compact golf course of claim 1, whereby said compact golf coursefurther allows a player to randomly play a round of golf by dynamicallyselecting to play any of said plurality of golf hole possibilities in arandom order.
 22. The compact golf course of claim 1, wherein saidcompact golf course comprises at least nine golf hole possibilities. 23.The compact golf course of claim 22, wherein said at least nine holepossibilities further comprise regulation-distance golf holes.
 24. Thecompact golf course of claim 23, wherein said regulation-distance golfholes comprise a combination of par-3 holes, par-4 holes, and par-5holes.
 25. The compact golf course of claim 23, wherein saidregulation-distance golf holes possibilities comprise combinationsallowing for a par range of from about 34 to about 37 and having a totalyardage of from about 2,250 yards to about 3,750 yards.
 26. A method forplaying a compact golf course, said method comprising: dynamicallyselecting a tee box from a plurality of tee boxes located around aperiphery of said compact golf course; dynamically selecting a targetgreen from a plurality of greens located around said periphery of saidcompact golf course; and hitting golf shots, comprising hitting a golfball with one or more golf clubs from said selected tee box toward saidselected target green, until said golf ball is hit into a cup on saidtarget green.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said method furthercomprises: dynamically selecting another tee box from said plurality oftee boxes located around a perimeter of said compact golf course;dynamically selecting another target green from said plurality of greenslocated around said perimeter of said compact golf course; and hittinggolf shots, comprising hitting a golf ball with one or more golf clubsfrom said selected another tee box toward said selected another targetgreen, until said golf ball is hit into a cup on said selected anothertarget green.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein said method furthercomprises: repeating said steps of dynamically selecting another teebox, dynamically selecting another target green, and hitting golf shotsuntil said golf ball is hit into a cup on said selected another targetgreen until a desired number of holes has been played.
 29. The method ofclaim 27, wherein said method further comprises repeating said steps ofdynamically selecting another tee box, dynamically selecting anothertarget green, and hitting golf shots until said golf ball is hit into acup on said target green until eighteen holes have been played.
 30. Themethod of claim 28, wherein said method further comprises: randomlyselecting said desired number of holes from a plurality of holepossibilities, said hole possibilities comprising different tee box andgreen combinations.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein said methodfurther comprises: randomly selecting said desired number of holes froma plurality of hole possibilities, said hole possibilities comprisingdifferent ball paths from the same tee box and green combination. 32.The method of claim 26, wherein said method further comprises: randomlyselecting a hole from a plurality of hole possibilities, wherein saidselected hole comprises said selected tee box and said selected green;determining a path to follow from said selected tee box and saidselected green; and defining boundaries along said path that said golfball must stay within.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein said methodfurther comprises: taking a penalty stroke if said golf ball is hitoutside of said boundaries; and dropping said golf ball back within saidboundary.
 34. The method of claim 26, wherein said method furthercomprises: identifying a target area that a golf ball must be hit to orpast from said tee box; hitting said golf ball along a first ball pathtoward said target area until said golf ball enters or clears saidtarget area; turning to said target green; and hitting said golf ballalong a second ball path toward said target green until said golf ballis hit into said hole on said target green.
 35. The method of claim 34,wherein said step of turning to said target green further comprises:turning at an angle from said first ball path from said tee box to saidtarget area to said second ball path from said target area and saidtarget green, wherein said angle is between 90 degrees and 180 degrees.36. The method of claim 26, wherein said method further comprises:counting a number of strokes required to hit said golf ball from saidtee box and into said hole on said target green; and recording a golfscore for said hole, wherein said golf score comprises said countednumber of strokes.
 37. A compact golf course comprising: a parcel ofland having open space for accommodating said compact golf course; teeboxes located around an outer periphery of said parcel within aperimeter of said parcel; greens located around said outer periphery ofsaid parcel within said perimeter of said parcel; a common fairway arealocated in a central region of said parcel; one or more branch fairwaysextending from said common fairway area toward one or more of saidplurality of greens; a plurality of hole possibilities, said holepossibilities comprising any tee box and any green, whereby a golferdynamically selects a tee box from which to hit a tee shot anddynamically selects a target green.
 38. The compact golf course of claim37, wherein said plurality of hole possibilities further comprise aselected ball path, said ball path comprising: a first portion from anytee box to a designated area in said common fairway area; and a secondportion from said designated area in said common fairway area to anygreen.
 39. The compact golf course of claim 38, wherein said secondportion of said selected ball path is oriented at an angle from saidfirst portion of said selected ball path, wherein said angle is an angleincluding about 0 to about 180 degrees.
 40. The compact golf course ofclaim 38, wherein said plurality of hole possibilities further comprise:a dog-leg right hole having said first portion of said selected ballpath extending in a first direction and said second portion of saidselected ball path extending in a second direction that is angled to theright of said first direction, and/or a dog-leg left hole having saidfirst portion extending in a first direction and a second portionextending in a second direction that is angled to the left of said firstdirection; and a target area located between said selected tee box andsaid target green; wherein said player completes said first portion ofsaid selected ball path in order to reach or clear said target area;wherein said player can turn and plays toward said green once saidtarget area has been reached or cleared; wherein said player completessaid second portion of said selected ball path in order to complete saiddynamically selected hole.
 41. The compact golf course of claim 40,wherein said angle between said first direction and said seconddirection is between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees.
 42. Thecompact golf course of claim 38, wherein said plurality of holepossibilities further comprise: a switch-back hole having said firstportion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending ina second direction; wherein said second direction of said second portionis at an angle of between 90 degrees and 180 degrees from said firstdirection of said first portion; and a target area between said firstportion and said second portion; wherein said player must hit shots insaid first direction from a selected tee box to said target area beforeturning and hitting shots in said second direction from said target areato a selected target green.
 43. The compact golf course of claim 42,wherein said switch-back hole further comprises said second portionextending in a direction that is substantially opposite to saiddirection of said first portion.
 44. The compact golf course of claim42, wherein said switch-back hole possibility provides for holedistances greater than a width of said parcel of land.
 45. The compactgolf course of claim 37, wherein said plurality of hole possibilitiesshare common features of said compact golf course, and wherein adynamically selected hole possibility shares said common feature withother potential hole possibilities.
 46. A privatized golf coursecommunity, said privatized golf course community comprising: a parcel ofland; a residential community comprising a plurality of homes locatedaround a periphery of said parcel; a compact golf course integratedwithin said residential community; and a plurality of hole possibilitiescomprising a plurality of tee box and green combinations that may beplayed in a random order.
 47. The privatized golf course community ofclaim 46, wherein said compact golf course further comprises: aplurality of tee boxes; and a plurality of greens; wherein saidplurality of hole possibilities comprise any one of said plurality ofgreens dynamically combined with any one of said plurality of tee boxes.48. The privatized golf course community of claim 47, further comprisinga common fairway area, wherein said common fairway area is shared by aplurality of hole possibilities.
 49. The privatized golf coursecommunity of claim 47, wherein said plurality of hole possibilitiescomprises at least eighteen hole possibilities.
 50. The privatized golfcourse community of claim 49, wherein said at least eighteen golf holepossibilities further comprise hole possibilities that allow for totalhole yardage of about 5,500 to about 7,500 yards.
 51. The privatizedgolf course community of claim 49, wherein said at least eighteen golfhole possibilities further comprise hole possibilities that allow fortotal hole par score of about 68 to about 74 strokes.
 52. The privatizedgolf course community of claim 46, wherein said parcel comprises atleast ten acres.
 53. The privatized golf course community of claim 46,wherein said residential community occupies approximately 20% of saidparcel and said compact golf course occupies approximately 80% of saidparcel.
 54. The privatized golf course community of claim 46, whereinsaid parcel comprises: a first, outer zone in contact with a parcel lineof said parcel, wherein said first, outer zone extends from said parcelline inward toward an interior or central region of said parcel; whereinsaid homes and a plurality of tee boxes are located in said first, outerzone; a second, intermediate zone in contact with an inner boundary ofsaid first, outer zone, wherein said second, intermediate zone extendsfrom said inner boundary of said first, outer zone inward toward saidinterior or central region of said parcel; a plurality of greens arelocated in said second, intermediate zone; and an interior or centralregion within an inner boundary of said second, intermediate zone,wherein said interior or central region comprises open space for acommon fairway area that is shared by a plurality of hole possibilitiescomprising any one of said tee boxes and any one of said greens; wherebyany combination of tee box to fairway to green is permissible to form agolf hole.
 55. The privatized golf course community of claim 46, whereinsaid privatized golf course community further comprises: zoningrestrictions on said parcel of land requiring low density housing; aplurality of lots based on said zoning restrictions, wherein said parcelis divided into said plurality of lots based on said zoningrestrictions, wherein at least one home is located on each lot; and openspace required by said zoning restrictions, wherein said compact golfcourse is located on said open space required by said zoningrestrictions.
 56. The privatized golf course community of claim 46,wherein said zoning restrictions require at least two acre minimum lots.57. The privatized golf course community of claim 46, further comprisinga parcel-line buffer zone formed between a parcel-line around aperimeter of said parcel and said home on said lots, wherein saidparcel-line buffer zone acts as a buffer between said homes and anexterior surrounding of said parcel to ensure home safety.
 58. Theprivatized golf course community of claim 46, further comprising ahome-site buffer zone formed around each of said homes, wherein saidhome-site buffer zone acts as a buffer between said homes and saidcompact golf course to ensure home safety.
 59. The privatized golfcourse community of claim 46, wherein each of said homes is a golfcourse front home having a substantially unimpeded view of said compactgolf course.
 60. The privatized golf course community of claim 46,wherein said homes further comprise luxury homes, wherein said compactgolf course is owned by homeowners of said luxury homes, and whereinsaid compact golf course is only open to play to said homeowners andtheir guests and not the general public.
 61. A combination residentialdevelopment and compact golf course, said combination comprising: aparcel of land having an outer perimeter; a plurality of home siteslocated in a residential zone on said parcel, wherein said residentialzone comprises an outer boundary and an inner boundary, wherein saidouter boundary of said residential zone borders said perimeter of saidparcel; a plurality of tee boxes located in a tee box zone on saidparcel, wherein said tee box zone comprises an outer boundary and aninner boundary, wherein said outer boundary of said tee box zone borderssaid inner boundary of said residential zone; a plurality of greenslocated in a green complex zone on said parcel, wherein said greencomplex zone comprises an outer boundary and an inner boundary, whereinsaid outer boundary of said green complex zone borders said innerboundary of said tee box zone; and a common fairway area located in afairway zone on said parcel, wherein said fairway zone comprises anouter boundary, wherein said outer boundary of said fairway zone borderssaid inner boundary of said green complex zone; wherein said commonfairway area can receive tee shots from any one of said plurality of teeboxes; wherein each of said plurality of greens can receive approachshots from a plurality of angles from said common fairway area; whereinany one of said plurality of greens may be played to from any one ofsaid tee boxes.